Reviewed: Unglued Album Launch Party at Studio 338

It’s been well over a month since the much-anticipated “Freedom Day” and it goes without saying that it feels absolutely incredible to be back in the dance. On Saturday 21st August, we finally made our first visit back to Studio 338 for a very special event that had been on the cards for months. Unglued ‘Interplanetary Radio’ Album Launch Party. 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the name Unglued is one that would’ve been stuck in your mind for the past few years. Synonymous for his take on High Contrast’s ‘If We Ever’, Unglued has grown into one of the scene’s most exciting and original artists. Since signing for Hospital Records in 2018, a debut album from Unglued is something we’ve been dying to hear and what better way to hear it than at his very own album launch party. Taking place in Studio 338’s garden with a stacked lineup, we couldn’t have been more excited. 

After battling the pre-rave nerves and stumbling through security, we arrived in the garden at around 3:30pm and got straight into business with a surprise back to back set from Sustance and GLXY. Spinning a fine blend of dark melodic liquid, minimal steppers and the odd heavy-hitter, it was the perfect back to back to get things going. The energy in the garden was infectious, dropping tracks such as Sustance ft. Ruby Letitia ‘Rumours’ and GLXY ‘Method’, it was clear to see how much the trio had missed playing sets. 

Despite arriving slightly later than scheduled, up next was none other than one part of The Sauce. Now this was an act that we had been waiting to see for god knows how long. Usually made up of the trio, Total Science, DLR and Hydro, The Sauce have been destroying the scene with their hefty bass-lines and crunchy drums. Shelling out heat from the get go with tracks such as The Sauce ‘A Truck Load’ and The Sauce ‘Spooked’, it was screw-face galore in the garden. Along with a whole host of dubs, The Sauce absolutely smashed it and we honestly can’t wait to catch another set from them. 

The time had just struck 7pm and it was finally the man of the moment’s turn to step up to the decks, Unglued. With the garden reaching near enough full capacity, the stage was set and everyone was ready to celebrate the launch of his album. Seamlessly spinning through a combination of his album and other heaters, Unglued was having the time of his life as all the ravers from front to back aggressively threw gun fingers. The album clearly displays his influences of funk, soul, hardcore, jungle, jazz and finally drum and bass, every track with its own vibe and packed with energy. As the set went on, Unglued dropped some album favourites such as Unglued ‘Sunbathing In Space’ and he brought out special guest and vocalist Esther Durin for a live performance of ‘Way Back When’, a wicked surprise to add to a truly special set. 

The end of the launch party was in sight but to round things off was who else but Fade Black. An eclectic duo made up of Cruk and Shyun, known for their diverse, dark and crispy productions. Closing up the launch party was n easy task but boy did they succeed. They completely turned up the ante and served up some serious corkers such as Fade Black ’12 Gauge’ and who could forget, their collaboration with Annix entitled Annix & Fade Black ‘Dismantle’. They closed up shop with a huge flurry of tracks and had the garden stomping straight through until 10pm. It really was a set to remember. 

The time was now 10pm which unfortunately marked the end of the album launch party. A truly special occasion to celebrate an artist who deserves nothing but success and praise for his hard work over the last few years. Hats off to Unglued and the rest of the lineup, we can’t wait to see what’s next! 

Unglued dropped his ‘Interplanetary Radio’ LP via Hospital Records in June, if you haven’t got it yet then grab a copy from here!